Hello friends! When we see a piece of writing for the first time, before analyzing each letter individually, we observe the overall feeling the text conveys. Similar to looking at a photo, we perceive the impact it has on us. We examine the organization of the text as a whole and how it is positioned on the page. As the word itself suggests, through order, we determine whether “everything is in its place.” This helps us assess whether the writing is clear, clean, legible, and the type of margin layout used. This global view of the manuscript gives us an impression of the context, also known as the graphic environment of the writing being analyzed.
Layout studies how lines, words, and letters are distributed. It examines whether the ones written at the beginning of the text are executed better or worse than those at the end.
We must distinguish whether the text is personal or social, as the emotional charge of each is different.
To observe writing in a comprehensive and subjective way, we can ask this guiding questions:
- What overall feeling does the text convey?
- How are the spaces between letters, words, and lines? Does the written text dominate the page, or does the white space prevail?
- Is it pleasant, unpleasant, or indifferent to look at? Are there inconsistencies, corrections, cross-outs, or monotony?
- Does the movement flow smoothly, or is it awkward and hesitant?
- Does the text advance, invading the margins?
- Do the lines ascend or descend? Do the letters overlap or stick together?
Layout Definition
In graphology, order refers to how each element that forms letters and text is distributed, arranged, and centered.
Interpretation: From a psychological perspective, the order in writing reflects an individual’s ability to adapt to social norms, which enables proper integration into society. The internalization of these norms is acquired from both family and society.
Excesses indicate pathology. Both excessive rigidity and extreme disorder suggest that something is not functioning properly.
To determine whether handwriting is orderly or disorderly, factors such as distribution, margin arrangement, and letter proportion are analyzed.
Distribution
Distribution refers to how letters, words, and lines are positioned. There are various ways to assess handwriting. One key measure is the module, which serves as a reference point for what is considered normal. Normal handwriting should be clear, proportional, and organized. Dots, accents, and commas should be placed precisely.
According to Augusto Vels, the module that governs a “normal” distribution is as follows:
- Normal spacing between letters (within the same word): Equivalent to the width of the ovals in the letters a, o, g, q, and d.
- Spacing between words: Equal to the width of the letter m in the same handwriting.
- Spacing between lines: Should be three times the height of the letter m in the same handwriting. The lower parts of the letters from the upper line should never mix with the upper parts of the letters from the lower line.
Clear, Orderly, or Normal Layout
There is harmony between the text and the white space, following the previously mentioned patterns. The letters do not overlap, and the spacing between letters, words, and lines is balanced. The letters are well-formed and executed precisely.
Interpretation: This indicates that the person possesses mental balance and clarity of ideas, as well as the ability to reflect and reason logically. It reflects a sense of order and an awareness of distances, both physical and social. It also suggests strong organizational skills and effective use of energy.
Confused, Disorganized Writing
There is a lack of proper spacing between letters, words, and lines. The previously mentioned rules are not followed, making the text difficult to understand.
The distribution of space is either insufficient or flawed. Letters are too close together (sticking to one another) or overlap (intruding into each other’s space). There are noticeable difficulties in letter formation. Words tend to merge or touch, and letters from upper lines invade those below. Sometimes, even if there is no direct contact, interference occurs between the upper and lower parts of the letters. This means that the writing encroaches on the space meant for the next line.
Interpretation: This writing style is associated with individuals who have unclear thoughts, a lack of organization, and a tendency to be dependent or intrusive. It indicates emotional instability, a changeable temperament, dissociation, unstable relationships, and impulsivity (especially when words touch).
Concentrated Writing
The spacing between letters, words, and lines is smaller than the standard but does not affect readability. The text dominates over the white space.
The entire text is written using continuous sentences, with no paragraph breaks or indentation. Although legibility is maintained and graphic elements do not overlap, the written text is more prominent than the surrounding blank space. Writing may be compact between letters, words, and lines—without clashing—yet the spacing remains narrower than usual.
Psychological Meaning: This writing style reflects logical thinking and strong concentration skills. It is associated with a prudent, discreet, foresighted, and frugal person. There is also a tendency to save, collect, and preserve things. The writer may be introverted and reserved.
The spacing between words indicates how a person relates to others. When words are closely connected, it suggests very close relationships and a tendency toward dependency.
Spaced-Out Distribution
The spacing between letters, words, and lines exceeds the standard without affecting readability. White space dominates over the text, and the letters appear disconnected.
Psychological Meaning:This writing style reflects dispersed energy, which can lead to low productivity in tasks. It is associated with a person who is not very foresighted and tends to establish more distant relationships. They have a need for solitude, are withdrawn and distrustful, and value freedom and independence. They dislike relationships that feel suffocating and may struggle with social interactions.
Organized and Disorganized Writing
Expressing thoughts in writing is not difficult or effortful; it flows easily.
Psychological Significance: This writing style reflects a good level of education, clarity of thought, emotional maturity, and stability in relationships. The person can express what they think and feel without focusing on the act of writing itself.
For writing to be considered organized, it must remain clear throughout the entire text. When analyzing a letter, if at the beginning (where conscious thought predominates) clear spacing between lines, words, and letters is observed, but at the end (where the unconscious dominates) the text becomes more condensed or confusing, the writing is considered disorganized.
If the writing is excessively calligraphic, it indicates dependence on a model or standard, lacks autonomy, and is a sign of immaturity.
How to analyze Layout in Graphology
Measuring Handwriting Spacing: A Guide to Analyzing Letter, Word, and Line Distances in Graphology
1. How to Measure the Distance Between Letters
In the first three lines of text, measure the width of the ovals and obtain the average. Measure the spacing between letters and obtain the average. Compare both averages to determine whether the writing being analyzed is normal, concentrated, or spaced.
By measuring the distance of the vertical lines that pass through the center of each letter, you can deduce whether the spacing between letters is regular or irregular. When measuring the “m” or “w,” each section must be measured separately.
Repeat the process with three lines from the middle of the text and three lines from the end. Comparing the type of spacing between letters in three parts of the text (at the beginning, middle, and end) allows for conclusions to be drawn that take into account the conscious and unconscious levels.
For graphology, the conscious is reflected at the beginning of a text. As the text progresses, the subject focuses on “what is written” and neglects “how it is written.” This allows the unconscious content to emerge.
This is primarily observed in the left and right margins. The gradient is established from the upper left (governed by the conscious) to the lower right (governed by the unconscious). The corresponding psychological interpretation is then assigned.
2. How to measure the distance between words
In the first three lines of the text, the width of the letters m is measured. The average is obtained. The spacing between words is measured, and the average is obtained. These are compared to determine whether the writing is normal, spaced, or concentrated. The corresponding psychological interpretation is then assigned. Repeat the process for three lines in the middle of the text and three at the end to draw conclusions, taking into account the conscious and unconscious levels.
3. Measure the distance between lines
In the first three lines of the text, measure the height of the letters “m.” Obtain the average. Measure the spacing between lines. Compare the averages to determine whether the spacing between lines corresponds to normal, spaced, or concentrated writing. Repeat the process for the middle and end of the text, as in the previous cases.
By understanding and analyzing the distances in handwriting, we can gain valuable insights into the conscious and unconscious processes that influence our personality and emotions, allowing for a deeper interpretation of our inner world.
